C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

[John M.]

Working on a hardtop for a 66 and need help getting the garnish moldings the correct color. The top was not for the car, although it was built in Feb 66 as a two top car. I have a top and hope to use it, but requires a color change, a rebuild and polish of the stainless trim along with a fresh rear window. The car is a 66, Trophy Blue, paint code 980 AA, and the interior trim code is 418 BK. So what color should the garnish moldings be? And is there a piece of trim now on the car that is the correct color to use as a sample to assure getting the correct color? Thanks in advance for any help, advice or images of a Trophy Blue hardtop interior view.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

John, the interior trim and headliner should match the interior color, Is this what your asking? The trim pieces are a full gloss.

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

John, there were some weird color combinations as a result weird interior color selections. But I'll go along with Ed. The color should match your interior. Saddle interior means a saddle liner in the top and saddle trim. From my research, interior metal pieces were painted with lacquer paint everything else was a dye.

[John M.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

The headliner and garnish moldings should be the same color as the seats - is that correct? If so does anyone have a paint number for the dark blue used on the garnish moldings? I have called around to vendors and with mixed results. Have both 13069 ditzler and 13241 as correct. some suggest full gloss and as in this thread others suggest 60% gloss. I tend to go with the 60% but want to only do this once. Anyone have images of top with original dark blue color?

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

Search the archives for Tower Paints, Wisconsin as I recall. They have the numbers and formulas for most paints. This is where I got all my interior paint. Just give them you year and what you are trying to accomplish.

[John M.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

One more thing - yesterday I found on this forum a service bulletin giving the paint code in DDL and gloss lever for interior parts. Today for some reason I cannot get back to that printed item. Anybody have a link? When I expand the charts provided today they become too blurred to read.

[Russ S.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

If they were done in lacquer, they wouldn't be full gloss as I am sure GM wouldn't have polished them.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

My 66 coupe has dark blue (418) interior. There is a auto paint store were I was able to get Acrylic Laquer mixed. I gave them the Ditzler code 13241 and they mixed me a quart. I have them leave out the flattner and give it to me in a separate container. The gloss garnish moldings were painted with no flattner and the dash and lower windshield molding was painted with low gloss, i.e. flattner added to the paint. My car has been to a good chapter meet and regional with no negative comments about the interior paint.

Here are a PDF of the service bulletin page and pictures of the paint can. Not sure why the pictures flipped?

Don

[John M.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

Thanks to all! John

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

If they were done in lacquer, they wouldn't be full gloss as I am sure GM wouldn't have polished them.

As stated above is CORRECT. The paint in the interior pieces was NEVER a full gloss. It was not buffed only as sprayed lacquer out of the gun also as stated. Problem with todays paint is to much clear carrier and the results are wrong resulting glossy finish. Some clever work will need to be performed with a course compound to achieve desired satin sheen finish. And yes the dash and lower windshield molding are no sheen compared to the rest of interior painted surfaces.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

As stated above is CORRECT. The paint in the interior pieces was NEVER a full gloss. It was not buffed only as sprayed lacquer out of the gun also as stated. Problem with todays paint is to much clear carrier and the results are wrong resulting glossy finish. Some clever work will need to be performed with a course compound to achieve desired satin sheen finish. And yes the dash and lower windshield molding are no sheen compared to the rest of interior painted surfaces.

I agree. I never saw a original hard top that has full gloss trim. The paint looked like sprayed lacquer. Fortunately most hard top were not used much so there are plenty out there to compare.

[James W.]

Re: C2 hardtop garnish moldings - what color?

As stated above is CORRECT. The paint in the interior pieces was NEVER a full gloss. It was not buffed only as sprayed lacquer out of the gun also as stated. Problem with todays paint is to much clear carrier and the results are wrong resulting glossy finish. Some clever work will need to be performed with a course compound to achieve desired satin sheen finish. And yes the dash and lower windshield molding are no sheen compared to the rest of interior painted surfaces.

I will agree with Gene. This was way back when, but at the 1984 NCRS National Convention I took a deduct for the original red garnish moldings on my '64 hardtop. They were deemed too shiny per the interior judge Bob Connors. They were the original painted moldings but I had cleaned and polished them which made them too glossy. Then in 2004 the car was judged again at a chapter meet and no deductions were taken.

I would say a finish comparable between an egg shell and satin will be acceptable. This is what I remember mine looking like before I rubbed them out and waxed them back in 1981 when I restored the car. I have to say they do look pretty nice, may have to dull them down over the winter as a weekend project.


Regards,

James West